Balancing Potential Benefits and Risks of Bruton Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor Therapies in Multiple Sclerosis During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

ABSTRACT: Bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitors (BTKis) encompass a new class of therapeutics currently being evaluated for the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS). Whether BTKis affect COVID-19 risk or severity or reduce vaccine efficacy are important but unanswered questions. Here, we provide an overview on BTKi mechanisms relevant to COVID-19 infection and vaccination and review preliminary data on BTKi use in patients with COVID-19. BTKis block B-cell receptor- and myeloid fragment crystallizable receptor-mediated signaling, thereby dampening B-cell activation, antibody class-switching, expansion, and cytokine production. Beyond antibodies, COVID-19 severity and vaccine efficacy appear largely linked to T-cell responses and interferon induction, processes not directly affected by BTKis. Given that

SUBMITTER: Weber MS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8428017 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature